Platen printing-press.



No., 768,405. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904. R. E. 6: A. KBMPER. PLATENPRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. 1903.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No MODEL.

l V/ T/VESS lNl/ENTORS W 6a K By Q 0 Atlog'neya.

m: uonms PETERS co. FHDTOUTNOU WASNINQYON. o. c.

No. 763,405. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904,. R. B. & A. KEMPER.

PLATEN PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16.1903. NO MODEL.

10 sHEnTssEEm2. I Z/ -W/ T/VES V I INVENTOIRS Ailomeyo.

' No. 763,405. PATBNTED JUNE 28, 1904.

R. B. & A. KEMPER.

PLATEN PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. 1903. N0 MOD 10 SHfiETS-SHEET 3- WITNESS No.763,405. I PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904. R. E. & A. KBMPER.

PLATEN PRINTING PRESS.

v APPLIOATION FILED JULY 16, 1903.

NO MODEL. I 10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNE YNVE/VTORS I Ai/omgya,

No. 763,405. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1-904.

RLE. & A. KEMPER. PLATEN PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. 1903. N0 MODEL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No. 763,405. PATENTED JUNB28, 1 904.

R. E. & A. KBMPBR. PLATEN PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. 1903.

- :sg; m: lllii l ll *7: P ll No. 763,405. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904.

R. B. & A. KBMPER.

PLATBN PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1903,

NO MODEL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 8,

No. 763,405. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904. R. E. & A. KEMPE'R. PLATYENPRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. 1903.

NO MODEL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

W/T/VESS I [NVE/VTORS -MM Y MMMSQNM W NORRIS nzrcns co w 1 u WASHINGTONn c No. 763,405. PATENTED JUNE 28,1904.

R'. E.'& A. KEMPER. PLATEN PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1903;

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

N0 ODEL. 2:7-.2' I

B Y W WWAWMQQ ITNESSES:

UNITED STATES Patented June 28,1904.

PATENT QFFICE.

ROBERT E. KEMPER AND ARTHUR KEMPER, OF RENSSELAER, NEW YORK.

PLATEN PRINTING-PRESS- SPECIFTOATION forming part of Letters Patent No.763,405, dated June 28, 1904.

Application filed July 16,1903. Serial No. l65,854. N model.)

T0 (1. 1071,0112, it vnrty concern.-

Be it known that we, RoBEn'r E. KEMPER and ARTHUR KEMPER, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Rensselaer, in the county of Rensselaerand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements7 in Platen Printing-Presses; and we do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it ap-- pertains to make anduse the same.

Our invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate oneform in which we have contemplated embodying our invention, and theinvention is fully disclosed in the following description and theoperation of the machine in feeding and; printing and delivering asheetof paper. Fig. l 1 is a perspective view of the gripper, frisketlingers,and-the mechanism for alining the paper laterally. Fig. 12 is aperspective view of the platen-supporting frame. Fig. 13 is a detailsectional view of one of the brackets for supporting the lower end ofsaid platen-supporting frame. Fig. 14 is a'partial left-side elevationof the machine with parts removed,

to show the mechanism for reciprocating the gripper.

the platen. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the platen. Fig. 17 is a sideelevation of a rack for receiving the printed sheets, a portion of V themachine being indicated to show the operation of the rack in relationthereto.

Fig. 18

-;- is a rear elevation of said rack.

,' Referring to the drawings, A represents the mam frame of the press,which is constructed so as to support the various parts of the apparatus.

B represents the movable type-bed, which is provided with downwardlyextending arms Fig. 4 is av Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of thedov1ces for supporting and ad usting1 b6, pivoted at their lower ends tothe frame A by a cross-shaft b, as shown, or by screws or bolts, aspreferred.

' (J represents a transverse counter shaft mounted in the frame A andprovided at each side of the frame with a crank-pin 0, connected by alink D to a stud b on the type-bed B, this construction causing thetype-bed to be given a movement toward and from the platen as the shaftC rotates. The shaft C is provided at one side of the machine'with aspurwheel 0', which carries one of the crank-pins 0, and said .pinionengages a pinion e on the driving-shaft E of the machine.

F represents the platen, which is capable of being entirely detached andremoved from the press and is provided with pivoted bails f or othersuitable means for clamping the usual paper or cardboard coveringthereon. The platen F is supported in position by an inclinedplaten-supporting frame (Jr, (shown in detail in Fig. 12,) said framebeing in turn supported in the following manner: A rockshaft G ismounted in the main frame and provided with two cams Gr G locatedadjacent to opposite sides of the machine. Above and. slightly to therear of the shaft G is a similar rock-shaft G", which is provided with apair of similar and similarly-arranged cams G G*. The outer orperipheral portions of these four cams are slightly eccentric to theirrespective shafts and support the frame G, the lower edge of said frameengaging two brackets g, secured to the-main frame A (see Fig. 13) toprevent the said frame (i from sliding off of said cams. The rock-shaftsG5 Gr are preferably connected for joint movement, and this isaccomplished in this instance by a link connecting one of the cams onone shaft with the corresponding cam on the other. One of the said cams,in this instance cam G is provided with an adjusting-screw 9 whichengages a stop or shoulder a on the frame A and holds the camsadjustably in position, and a spring (see Fig. 3,) connector to one ofsaid cams, holds the said screw nor mally in engagement with said stop.The ad justing-screw g is also provided with a jarr nut g, which isconveniently formed with;-

handle, as shown, to enable'it to be screw:

adjusting-screws each having a jam-nut g upon which the platen rests. Bymeans of these screws the position of the platen can be accuratelyadjusted with respect to the type-bed when the parts of the press areassembled. In order to facilitate the removal and replacing of theplaten, we provide the frame G with two springs g g, which lie above thelower screws g and are conveniently attached to the frame by securingthem to the upper of said screws beneath the jam-nuts thereof. Thesesprings prevent the lower edge of the platen from catching on the lowerscrews in placing the platen in position upon the frame Gr.

1-1 represents the throw-off lever, which is pivoted to the rear portionof the frame A beneath the feeding-table A and is provided with an armit, extending across the machine. A chain it or other flexibleconnection extends from this arm [L to a lever 7L2, pivoted to one ofthe cams (the cam G in this instance) eccentrically to its shaft. Thislever is of such length that its upper end normally engages the underside of the feeding-tableA, as shown in Fig. 3, and the lower end ofsaid lever is provided with a spring it", which tends to hold the upperend of said lever in engagement with the said under side of thefeeding-table. The effect of said lever (which we term the locking-leveris to lock the cams against upward movement, as will be seen in Fig. 3.W hen the throw-off lever is operated, the chain it will first draw thelever 7L2 rearward and disengage its upper end from the under side ofthe feeding-table, thus releasing the cams, and the further movement ofthe throw-elf lever will draw the cams, which will all move simultaneously rearward and upward, thus bringing other portions of theireccentric surfaces into engagement with the platen-supporting frame andpermitting the said frame to move by gravity in a direction away fromits normal position, carrying with it the platen. This will remove theplaten far enough from the printing position so that the type carried bythe type-bed will not engage the paper on the platen. \(Vhen thethrow-off lever is released, the spring g will draw the cams back to theposition in which they are held by the engagement of the screw with thestop a, thus restoring the platen-frame and platen to the printingposition. The throw-oif-lever arm h is provided with a hook or catch 72)to engage the edge of table A or other part of the main frame and holdthe lever in position to maintain the platen in its retracted position.To vary the depth or force of the impressions, it is only necessary toloosen the jam-nut g" and turn the ad justing-screw in one direction orthe other, thus adjusting the positions of the eccentric cams and movingthe platen-frame and platen toward or from the type-bed. The eccentricfaces of the cams are so formed that they will hold the platen parallelto the face of the type-bed in all positions to which the platen may beadjusted.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the depth orforce of the impressions can be adjusted with great nicety withoutremoving the platen or repacking the face thereof and withoutinterfering with the adjusting-screws on the platen -supporting frame,the entire adjustment being effected by turning the singleadjusting-screw g.

The platen F is held from lateral movement upon the platen-surmortingframe by lateral stops ff', secured to the side portions of the mainframe. WVe prefer to employ for this purpose adjustable set-screws,which engage the platen on opposite sides, said screws being providedwith suitable jam-nuts. In order to facilitate the placing of the platenin operative position, the portions of the platen which engage saidstops are beveled or inclined, as shown at f, Fig. 16, so that as theplaten is placed in position it will be guided to the correct positionbetween said lateral stops.

A represents the feeding-table, which is horizontally disposed and hasan inclined face extending downward from the edge toward the type-bed ina plane parallel to the face of the platen. The sheets to be printed arefed upon this inclined face a. When so fed, the lower edge of each sheetis engaged by the inwardly-bent ends of retaining-fingers I, eachcarried by a block 2', mounted on a transverse rock-shaft l. The fingersI are adjustable vertically in their supporting-blocks by nuts 1:,engaging threaded portions thereof, and each block is adjustablelaterally upon the rock-shaft and may be secured in position by aset-screw 4?.

We employ a reciprocating gripper for taking the sheet from theretaining-fingers and carrying it into printing position upon the platenand delivering the printed sheet. K represents a transverse rock-shaftmounted in the main frame A, which carries two guidebars in 7r, rigidlysecured thereto, upon which the gripper is arranged to reciprocate. Thegripper consists of a plate L, provided at each end with a slide Z,engaging one of the guiderods A, and having its central portionpreferably deeply serrated to form a series of rigid fingers l.Connected with said gripperplate is a rock-shaft Z to which are secureda plurality of grippingfingers Z", which preferably have their outerends covered or faced with rubber or other suitable material to give afirm hold upon the sheets. The rock-shaft Z is provided at one end withan operating arm l", carrying a friction roll or stud F, by means ofwhich the gripping-fingers can be simultaneously raised from the plateL. The rock-shaft Z is also provided with a spring Z, secured in thisinstance to another arm Z attached to said shaft for holding thegrippingfingers normally down upon the plate L. For convenience ofreference we term the rockshaft K and guide-bars k In, previouslydescribed the swingin g gripper-frame, and the gripper is adapted to bereciprocated up and down this frame. For imparting the downward movementto the gripper we employ a curved arm or lever M, having its rear endsecured to a rock-shaft m, mounted in the main frame at the rear of themachine and with an arm m, which also serves as a handlever, ashereinafter described, and to this arm is secured a spring 711?, whichnormally exerts a torsional strain upon said rock-shaft, which returnsthe gripper to its upper position when permitted by the cam M. The

arm m is also provided with a plurality ofapertures m into one of whichthe spring m is attached, affording means for adjusting the tension ofthe spring.

The lower ends of the guide-bars k are provided with brackets k k,carryinga rockshaft N, upon which are mounted two (or more)laterally-adjustable frisket-fingers 01., adapted to be secured in theiradjusted positions by set-screws 72 The rock-shaft N is also providedwith a downwardly-extending arm 9/, provided with a spring n holdingsaid arm 72 against a stop a on the main frame, and said rock-shaft isalso provided with a hand-lever n for raising the frisketfingers whendesired.

O 0' represent a bell-crank lever pivoted to the main frame at 0, thearm 0 of which is adapted to engage the friction-roll Z to open thegripper at the proper time. The other arm, 0', is provided with afriction-r0110, engaging a cam O on the counter-shaft G, the weight ofsaid arms holding the roll in engagement with the cam, although a springthe paper upon the face of theplaten. To this end the rock-shaft K,which supports the guide-bars 7:: 7c, is provided with adownwardlyextending arm K, provided at its lower end with afriction-roller 70 which is held by the weight of the gripper-frame inengagement with a cam K on the countershaft C, said cam beingconstructed to impart the necessary movements to the swinging frame tolay the sheet to be printed upon the platen and to again raise the frameand gripper to lift the printed sheet from the platen after theimpression has been made.

When a sheet to beprinted has been fed to the retaining-fingers I I, asbefore described, it is automatically moved laterally, so as to giveexactly the side margins desired, the top and bottom margins beingadjusted by lengthening or shortening the fingers I I. For thefirstimentioned purpose we employ a longitudinally-movable rod P,extending transversely of the machine beneath the part a of thefeeding-table and provided with a retracting-spring 39. Upon this rod isan adjustable block p, provided with a projection extending through theinclined-face a of the feeding-table. In this instance we have shown theblock p, provided with a set-screw 19 which extends through a slot inthe part a of the table and engages. the edge of the sheet fedthereupon. The other end of the rod P is provided with a lug p adaptedto be engaged by the inclined edge 39 of a plate P, carried by thegripper, so that as the gripper moves upward into position to engage thesheet which has just been placed in position in the retaining-lingers II the rod P will be moved longitudinally and will cause the screw p toengage the edge of the sheet and move it into exactly the requiredposition to give the desired side margins. The advantage of thisconstruction is that the paper may be placed in position in theretaining-fingers by the feeder without using special care about itsposition transversely of the machine, thus enabling the sheets to be fedwith much greater speed than would be possible if each sheet must beplaced in exactly the same position. The paper-regulating device allowsa very considerable range in the placing of the sheets .and brings eachsheet exactly into the desired position before it is seized by thegripper.

The retaining-fingers I I hold the sheet of paper until it is seized bythe gripper, when the fingers are, removed from engagement with thesheet. To this end the rock-shaft 1 is provided with an operating-arm 1the.

lower end of which carries a friction-roll I;

Below the platen is a horizontally-disposed endless delivery belt orapron R, carried by two rollers r 7*, one of which is driven by a belt0* from the driving-shaft E by means of suitable pulleys 0* T Thetype-bed is provided with movable inking-rollers Z) I) and rotatableinking-plate I)" of wellknown construction and operation, which partswill therefore not be more particularl y described.

The driving-shaft E is provided with a balance-wheel E and fast andloose pulleys E E", by means of which the press can be operated from anysuitable source of power.

In operating the machine the operator takes position at the back of thefeeding-table A. To make ready, if the machine is closed or in theimpression position, in which case the gripper will be in its lowestposition, it is first necessary to secure the gripper, so that it willremain in its lowest position. For this purpose a chain S is secured tothe under side of the table A and provided at its lower end with a hook.Q, which is inserted in oneof the holes of in the lever 1275, asindicated in Fig. 10, thus preventing the spring on. from retracting thegripper when the press is open. The driving-shaft is now turned to openthe press. If the press is already open, the gripper can be moved to itslowest position by raising the lever m by hand, and the hook s can thenbe inserted to hold it in such position. The throw-off lever is thenoperated to draw up the eccentric cam supporting the platen and islocked in position by means of the hook it". The operator will thenraise the frisket-iingers by means of the hand-lever n and will thenremove the platen from the machine. After the platen is made ready it isinserted in the same manner and will slide down on the springs g of theplaten-supporting frame until it is arrested by the lower lip g" of saidframe, when it may be dropped into place between the lateral stops f, aspreviously described. In making ready more or less impression may beobtained by adjusting the screw 9 after releasing the throw-ofl' lever.The throw-off lever being released and the hook s removed from the leverm, the machine is in readiness for printing, except for the adjustmentof the paper-guides. The fingers I will be adjusted on their rock-shaftI in accordance with the width of the paper, and the said fingers willbe adjusted longitudinally by means of the nuts 71' to secure thedesired top and bottom margins, and the laterally-moving side guides 12will be adjusted on its red P so as to move each sheet laterally to theexact position to secure the desired side margin.

The press shown in the drawings is a small one, and it isintended thatthe operator should sit behind the feeding-table A with his legs outsideof the frame, the throw-off leverbcing in such a position that it may beoperated by a movement inwardly of his right knee. It is obvious thatthe invention, however, is applicable to presses of any size.

The parts being in position to begin printing, the operator feeds asheet of paper downwardly over the inclined face a of the feeding-table,allowing it to rest its lower edge on the bent ends of the lingers I I,this position of the parts being shown in Fig. In

this position the gripper is on its way upwardly and as it rises theside guide 72 is operated to adjust the paper sidewise. At the same timethe bell-crank lever O O is operated, so as to lift the gripper-fingers7/ from the plate L. As the gripper rises still farther the plate Lpasses below the sheet of paper, the fingers I I entering the notches orserrations between the rigid fingers Z of said plate, and when in thisposition the bell-crank lever O O is allowed to fall by its cam, thuspermitting the gripper-fingers Z" to. descend under the influence of thespring Z (see Fig. 11) and grip the paper, as shown in Fig. 6. Thegripper is then moved to its lowest position on the swinginggripper-frame by means of the cam M the arm M, and link 111., thuscarrying the paper directly over the platen and beneath thefrisket-iingers, which are held in raised position at this time by theengagement of the stop a on the main frame with the arm of. Thisposition of the parts is shown in Fig. 7 and it will be noted thatduring this time the type-bed has been appreaching the platen. At thispoint the cam K permits the arm K to swing rearwardly a short distance,thus moving the entire swinging gripper-frame downwardly, bringing theupper face of the rigid gripper-plate into alinement with the face ofthe platen and lay ing the paper sheet smoothly upon the platen. At thesame time the frisket-iingers are lowered onto the platen, and themovement of the gripper-frame causes the arm 12/ to move away from itsstop and expand the spring n thus throwing the tension of the springonto the frisket-fingers and causing the fingers to press the paperfirmly but yieldingly upon the face of the platen. This position of theparts is shown in Fig. 8, and in this position the type-bed moves intoprinting position and makes an impression upon the sheet, after which itmoves away from the paper, the frisket-fingers preventing the sheet fromadhering to the type. The cam K -then operates the arm K and raises theswinging gripper-frame slightly, thus lifting the paper from the platen,as shown in Fig. 9. At the same time the bell-crank lever O O isoperated to raise the gripper-fingers Z" and permit the printed sheet tofall through the gripper onto the endless delivery band or apron R,which delivers it from the machine. This position of the parts isillustrated in Fig. 10.

It is to be noted that as all the operator has to do is to place thesheets singly in engagement with the fingers I I without special carehave to remove the printed sheet from the press the press can be fedwith great rapidity, at the same time securing the utmost accuracy ofregister. It will also be noted that should a sheet be improperly fedthe operator can prevent an impression instantly by pressing thethrow-off lever with his knee.

In Figs. 17 and 18 we have illustrated a folding or collapsible rackwhich we conveniently employ in connection with this press for receivingthe printed sheets from the delivery belt or apron B. This rack consistsof a vertical supporting-frame T, provided with a guiding slot or groove26, in which is mounted a slide U. To this slide is secured aforwardlyprojecting arm a, which carries a shelf V, preferably in aslightly-inclined position, so that the printed sheets falling thereonwill slide backward and downward against the supporting-frame T. Belowthe shelf V are a series of flat shelves or trays V, connected togetherand to the shelf V at their sides by strips of cloth or other flexiblematerial f, so that when the shelf V is in position below thedelivery-apron R the remaining shelves will lie compactly upon the floorbeneath it. At the upper end of the frame T we provide means for raisingthe shelf V, consisting in this instance of a drum secured to a sleevew, rotatably mounted upon the stationary shaft l/V, said sleeve andshaft extending over the press in a position to be reached by thefeeder.

The sleeve 10 is provided with an operatinghandle or hand-wheel 20within reach of the operator, and the drum is provided with a series oflocking-notches 10 (see Fig. 18,) adapted to be engaged by a fixed pawlor de tent 20 A spring w is interposed between a collar on the end ofthe shaft W and the end of the sleeve 20, so as to hold the drum inengagement with the detent 00 The drum WV is provided with a flexibleconnection t, extending to the slide U for raising and lowering saidslide. The operation of this device will be easily understood from aninspection of Figs. 17 and 18. The slide U is lowered until the shelf Vis a sufficient distance below the apron R to receive the printed sheetstherefrom, and when a sufficient quantity of the latter has accumulatedupon the shelf V the operator will raise the shelf above the said apron,thus bringing the next lower shelf in position to receive the sheets,and so on, until all the shelves of the device are filled with printedsheets.

WV hat we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, and platen-supporting devices comprising aplurality of pivoted cams, having eccentric bearing-surfaces, and meansfor adjusting said cams to vary the depth of impression, substantiallyas described.

2. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, and platen-supporting devices comprising aplurality of pivoted cams, having eccentric bearingsurfaces, connectionsbetween said cams for securing the simultaneous movement thereof, and anadjustingdevice for said cams to vary the depth of impression,substantially as described.

3. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, and platen-supporting devices comprising aplurality of pivoted cams, having eccentric bearing-surfaces,connections between said cams for securing the simultaneous movementthereof, a stationary stop for limiting the position of said cams and anadjusting-screw engaging a part connected with said cams, and

adapted to engage said stop, to vary the depth of impression,substantially as described.

4. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, and platen-supporting devices comprising aplurality of cams, pivotally mounted in the frame of the press, andprovided with eccentrically-curved bearing-surfaces for supporting theplaten, whereby the pressure of the type upon the platen will betransmitted directly to the pivotal supports of said cams, and means foradjusting said cams upon their pivotal connections to vary the depth ofimpression, substantially as described.

5. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, eccentric supporting devices therefor, meansfor moving said eccentric devices to adjust the position of the platenand independent adjusting devices interposed between said eccentricdevices and the platen, substantially as described.

6. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen,

eccentric supporting devices therefor, means for moving said eccentricdevices to adjust the position of the platen, and a supporting-frameinterposed between the said eccentric devices and the platen providedwith devices for retaining the platen in position thereon, substantiallyas described.

7 In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movable type-bed,of the platen, eccentric supporting devices therefor, means for movingsaid eccentric devices to adjust the position of the platen, asupporting-frame interposed between the said eccentric devices and theplaten, and provided with means for retaining the platen thereon, saidplaten and said platen-supporting frame being provided the one withindependent adjusting devices engaging the other, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of a platensupporting frame, independent adjustingscrewsconnected therewith, and projecting from the upper side thereof, guardscovering certain of said screws to facilitate the insertion of theplaten, a plurality of eccentric devices engaging said frame, means foradjusting said eccentric devices simultaneously to adjust said frame andplaten, and the platen adapted to be placed in engagement with saidframe, substantially as described.

9. In aplaten printing-press, the combination with the movable type-bed,of the platen, supporting devices therefor comprising a plurality ofeccentric devices, means for adjusting said eccentric devices, andlateral stops engaging said. platen to hold it from lateral movement,substantially as described.

10. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen provided with lateral beveled portions,eccentric supporting devices forsaid platen, means for adjusting saideccentric devices, and lateral stops adapted to be engaged by thebeveled portions of said platen to guide it into position and hold itagainst lateral movement, substantial] y as described.

11. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of theplaten, a platen-supporting frame, independent adjustingdevices thereon for engaging the platen, four movable cams havingeccentric portions engaging said frame, connections between said camsfor insuring their simultaneous movement, a stationary stop, anadjustable screw connected with said cams and engaging said stop and athrow-off lever connected with said cams, substantially as described.

12. Ina platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, a plurality of eccentric supportsthereforconnected for simultaneous movement, an adjusting device for saideccentric supports, and a throw-off lever operatively connected withsaid eccentric supports, substantially as described.

13. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletypehed, of the platen,

a plurality of eccentric supports therefor connected for simultaneousmovement, a stop for limiting the movements of said eccentric supportsin one direction, and a movable locking device for preventing theirmovement in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

14.. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, of the platen, a plurality of eccentric supports thereforconnected for simultaneous movement, a stop for limiting the movementsof said eccentric su pports in one direction, a movable locking devicefor preventing their movement in the opposite direction, a throw-offlever for moving said supports in a direction away from said stop and aconnection between said lever and said locking device for releasing thelatter, substantially as described.

15. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the pivotedswinging type-bed, of the vertically-disposed platen, eccentricsupporting devices for the upper and lower portions of said platen, saideccentric devices being differentially formed so as to maintain theplaten in a position parallel to the face of the type-bed when inprinting position. and means for adjusting said eccentric devices,substantially as described.

16. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed and the platen, of the feeding-table, a gri iper-frame, movabletoward and from the platen, a gripper mounted to reciprocate in saidframe across the platen, and -mechanism for moving said frame toward andfrom the platen, substantially as described.

17. In a platen printing-press, the combina tion with the type-bed, andthe platen, of the feeding-table, paper-retaining devices adjacentthereto, a laterally-movable device, a guide for engaging a lateral edgeof the paper sheet adjustably secured thereto, the gripper for receivingthe sheet from the said paperretaining devices, and mechanismoperatively connected witlrthe said gripper for moving saidlaterally-movable device and paper-guide laterally, to adjust the papersheet into the required position to be seized by the gripper,substantially as described.

18. In aplaten printing-press, the combination with the type-bed and theplaten, of the feeding-table, paper-retaining devices adjacent thereto,a laterally-movable guide for engaging the lateral edges of the papersheets, the movable gripper for receiving the sheets from the retainingdevices and a cam carried by said gripper and adapted to engage and operate a part connected with said laterally-movable guide, substantiallyas described.

19. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, and the platen, of the feeding-table, paper-retaining devicesadjacent thereto, a laterally-movable bar, adjacent to said tableprovided'with a projecting lug, a paper-guide adjustably secured to saidbar and adapted to engage a lateral edge of the paper sheet, a movablegripper for receiving the paper from said retaining devices and carryingit over the platen, a plate secured to the gripper and having a cam-faceto engage the lug on said rod, and a retracting-spring connected to saidrod, substantially as described.

20. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed and the platen, of a feeding-table, a pivoted gripper-frame. agripper mounted to reciprocate in said frame, across the platen,frisket-fingers carried upon said gripper-frame and adapted to engagethe platen, and mechanism for moving said gripper-frame toward and fromsaid platen to lay the paper on the platen and clamp it between thefrisket-fingers and the platen, substantially as described.

21. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed and the platen, of a feeding-table, a pivoted gripper-frame, agripper mounted to reciprocate in said frame, across the platen,frisket-fingers carried upon said gripper-frame and adapted to engagethe platen, a spring connected with said frisketfingers and pressingthem toward the platen, a stop on the gripper-frame normally holdingsaid fingers away from the platen, and mech anism for moving saidgripper-frame toward and from the platen, substantially as described.

22. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed and the removable platen, of the feeding-table, a pivoted gripper-frame, a reciprocating gripper mounted therein, mechanism fordepressing said gripper in said frame, a retracting-spring for returningthe gripper to its highest position in said frame, and mechanism forlocking said gripperin its lowest position to permit the removal andreplacing of the platen, substantially as described.

23. In aplaten printing-press, the combination with the movable type-bedand the platen,

of the feeding-table, a pivoted gripper-frame, a gripper arranged toreciprocate therein across the platen, an actuating-arm foropening andclosing the gripper, an operating-leverhaving an arm extending alongsaid gripper-frame in position to engage a part connected with theactuating-arm of said gripper and actuating devices for said lever,moving said lever into and holding it in operative engagement with saidgripper-actuating arm, substantially as described.

24. In a platen printing-press, the combination with the movabletype-bed, and the platen, of a feeding-table, a pivoted gripper-frame, agripper arranged to reciprocate therein, said gripper being providedwith a rock-shaft carrying movable gripping devices, an operating-armconnected with said shaft and provided with a friction-roll, anoperating-lever for engaging said friction-roll and permitting it toroll thereon, and actuating mechanism for said lever, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in the presence of twowitnesses ROBERT E. KEMPER. ARTHUR KEMPER. Witnesses:

PETER KEMPER, GEORGE G. KEMPER.

